New guidelines a welcome part of complex jigsaw puzzle to tackle malnutrition - Burstow

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 22nd Feb 2006

Responding to new guidelines by NICE to tackle the problem of malnutrition in the NHS, Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow, who has been running campaign for clearer nutritional standards in care settings, commented:

"This is a welcome part of the complex jigsaw puzzle of measures that are necessary to improve the nutrition and health of vulnerable older people. However, it is insufficient to state that screening should only be used where there is medical concern for care home residents as there is no guarantee that this will meet the true needs of older people entering a home.

"What is also needed in both care homes and hospitals is further training of staff to ensure that they understand the special dietary and feeding requirements of frail older people. Food supplements clearly have a part to play but they shouldn't be seen as a substitute for good nutritious food where residents are able to eat."

ENDS.